​Riziki News – October 2017Dear All,For many months, Riziki has faced challenging times. The lack of rain for a long period led to water shortages for much of Kenya. In turn, this has meant that crops have failed and the costs of food for people and cattle have rocketed. Riziki does not have mains water and relies on rain water, collected from the rooves into two large underground tanks, for all its water supplies, needed for irrigation, washing and drinking. When there is no rain we must buy water delivered by road tankers. The price of such water increased significantly as the drought became more severe. In the UK we cannot imagine drought which is experienced regularly in much of Africa, but it leads to severe devastation of the land and all that entails. We are delighted to hear from Liz that rain has returned to the Nakuru region.She wrote on October 2nd:I am writing from Riziki today sitting on the back porch on a nice sunny morning. Everything is green again (thanks to the rains we have been having) and Moses and Joel are working the machine preparing cow feed for the month.We thank you all for your prayers that I believe protected our maize crop this year. It survived the long drought and a possible army worm infestation and considering none of our neighbours have a good maize crop, we thank God and are looking forward to harvesting mid to end November.In the last month and half we have been working hard to fill the freezer with vegetables from the farm and have attempted successfully freezing cabbages, of which we had plenty, and kale. So right now we have cabbages, kale and tomatoes in the freezer ready for the dry Jan-Apr period.In the last month we have also had dairy cow management training and support from an extension officer (not sure if this is what they call them) from Coopers Kenya (for free) and we are working on a lot of what we learnt. Moses and Joel have given very good support to these changes for which am grateful to God.All cows are in-calf and we expect three new cows next year. If all are heifers we will then have six milking cows. This means we need to consider building a more spacious cow shed and hay barn.We are just finishing a tomato crop in the green house and we plan to turn and treat the soil and have a new crop at the beginning of November.

Julius has been having a tough time recently with his health. His blood pressure has been erratic and he has been waiting for further eye surgery. He has postponed this several times, putting the needs of the children before his own. I spoke to him this week, at home, where he is recuperating from the latest surgery. He is banned from using his computer and we are pleased that it seems he is observing the ban.Again, Liz said:All is well with Riziki except for a few illnesses here and there with the children all are fine and doing well in school. Any more details Mr. Kivindyo will fill you in once he gets better. He had his eye surgery last week; we thank God that his blood pressure stabilised long enough to allow this, so now he is grounded for another week or so for recovery.Blessings, LizWe are still awaiting the refurbishment of the old houses but again the workman has promised to start imminently.We were very touched last month by the support and help we received at our fund-raising coffee morning and afternoon tea, held on a rainy day in our rather small house. Thanks to all who came and made the day so successful by their hard work and/or their donations.Prayer points1. Thanks that crops have grown at Riziki and that the staff have found ways of preserving them.2. For Julius' health, especially for complete recovery from his eye surgery.3. For peace in Kenya as the re-run of the presidential election draws near, or not.

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter. Your interest in Riziki is much appreciated. Without your help, Riziki could not exist. Ian & Diana Hogley.

For donations from within UK:-The best way to make a donation to Riziki is through The Aenon Trust. This a UK charity which facilitates giving to projects including several children's homes in Kenya. Donations by UK taxpayers may be Gift Aided through The Aenon Trust. All such giftings are transferred to the projects in full by the Trust, with no deductionsCheques should be made payable to The Aenon Trust and sent to:-Mr A.E.Nicholls MBE FRGS, 137 Belvedere Road, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA7 4PA , with a note saying the gift is for Riziki. Allan's email is nicholls_allan@hotmail.comDirect payments can be made to:- NATWEST BANK, Bexleyheath, Sort Code 51-70-14, for the credit of The Aenon Trust, Account No 36591483. If using this method an email should be sent to Allan to let him know the gift is for Riziki. If preferred, gifts may be sent through us at Wayfields, Briar Court, HOLMFIRTH, HD9 2JJ.Donations from outside UK may be sent to either Mr Nicholls or ourselves at the above addresses.Regular donations can be made by Standing Orders. I can supply Gift Aid declaration forms or Standing Order forms, for regular donations, if desired.

Gaggia Caffe Shop, based in Elland has a feature on Riziki on their website. This can be accessed on www.gaggiacaffe.tv. Our own Riziki website is accessed on www.riziki.org.uk.